THERAPEUTIC CONSULTANCY FOR PARENTS

Sometimes the biggest challenge isn't finding professional support. It is getting your child to engage with it.

Your child may refuse therapy, refuse to speak to a counsellor, avoid school, withdraw from family conversations or respond to difficult situations through anger, silence or behaviour rather than words.

That does not necessarily mean they don't need support.

It may mean that the way support is being offered isn't working for them yet.

I provide therapeutic consultancy for parents who need professional guidance to understand what may be happening for their child and what they can do differently.

This is not therapy delivered to your child without their participation. Instead, it is professional consultation with you, helping you understand the situation, consider different perspectives and develop practical strategies for responding to your child's needs.

What is therapeutic consultancy?

Therapeutic consultancy is a focused professional service for parents who are concerned about their child's emotional wellbeing, behaviour, relationships or engagement with support.

Rather than immediately asking, "How do we get my child into therapy?", we can ask:

"What might be happening for this child, and what can the adults around them do differently?"

A consultation can help you understand patterns of behaviour, communication difficulties, emotional responses and family dynamics, and consider how these may be affecting your child's ability or willingness to engage.

The aim is to give you greater understanding, practical strategies and a clearer sense of what to do next.

When might parent consultancy help?

You may be looking for professional support because:

• Your child refuses to see a therapist or counsellor

• Your teenager says they do not need help

• Your child will not talk about what is happening

• Your child has stopped engaging with school

• Your child is experiencing school refusal or emotionally based school avoidance

• Your child becomes angry, withdrawn or dysregulated

• You are struggling to communicate with your teenager

• Your child has experienced family separation or parental conflict

• Your child has additional needs, SEND or neurodivergent traits

• Previous therapeutic support has not worked

• Your child repeatedly disengages from professionals

• You are unsure whether your child needs therapy

• You want to understand your child's behaviour before deciding what support to pursue

• You need help preparing for conversations with school or other professionals

• You feel that different professionals are giving you conflicting advice

• You simply need an experienced professional to help you make sense of the situation

You do not need to have a diagnosis or formal assessment before arranging a consultation.

Supporting the child who won't engage

A child refusing therapy can be particularly difficult for a parent.

You may know that something is wrong, but your child may say:

"I'm fine."

"I don't want to talk."

"I don't need therapy."

"Leave me alone."

Trying to force a child into therapy can sometimes increase resistance.

Instead, we can explore what their behaviour might be communicating and consider whether there are different ways of creating safety, trust and engagement.

Sometimes the most useful therapeutic intervention initially takes place with the parent rather than with the child.

Changing the way adults respond can change the environment around the child and, over time, create better conditions for the child to engage.

What happens during a consultation?

A consultation is a structured conversation focused on your specific situation.

We may explore:

1. What is happening?

We look at the difficulties you are experiencing and when they occur.

2. What might be underneath the behaviour?

Behaviour can sometimes be a communication of emotions, needs or experiences that a child cannot yet explain verbally.

3. What is happening around the child?

We consider the wider system, including family relationships, school, friendships, transitions and other significant circumstances.

4. What has already been tried?

Understanding what has and has not worked can provide important information about how your child responds to different approaches.

5. What could you do differently?

We identify practical changes that may improve communication, reduce conflict or increase your child's sense of safety and control.

6. What support might be appropriate?

Where appropriate, we consider whether your child may benefit from therapy, family work, school-based support, SEND support or another professional service.

The consultation is designed to leave you with greater clarity rather than simply more information.

Parent Strategy Consultation

For more complex situations, a longer consultation can provide space to explore the wider picture.

A Parent Strategy Consultation may be particularly useful where there are multiple factors involved, such as:

School refusal + anxiety

SEND + challenging behaviour

Family separation + child resistance

Teenage withdrawal + communication difficulties

Parental conflict + emotional distress

Neurodivergence + school difficulties

The aim is to develop a practical understanding of the situation and identify what can be done next.

Where appropriate, this may include recommendations for communicating with your child, working with school or other professionals, or considering further assessment or therapeutic support

What this service is not

Therapeutic consultancy is not a replacement for emergency mental health support, crisis intervention, psychiatric assessment or specialist safeguarding services.

I will not provide therapy to a child without appropriate consent and engagement.

Where I believe that additional or specialist support is required, I will discuss this with you and recommend appropriate next steps.

Who is this service for?

Therapeutic consultancy may be appropriate for:

• Parents of children

• Parents of teenagers

• Families experiencing conflict

• Parents concerned about school attendance

• Parents of children with SEND

• Parents of neurodivergent children

• Parents whose child refuses therapy

• Parents whose child has disengaged from professional support

• Parents who want professional guidance before pursuing therapy

• Adults supporting a young person who is struggling

The service can be particularly helpful when the child is not currently willing to participate in therapy.

Therapeutic Consultancy in London and Online

Consultations are available online and in person, subject to availability.

I work with parents and families in London and across the UK through online consultations.

Parent Consultation, £150. A single 50 minute session. A focused consultation exploring your concerns and identifying practical next steps.

Parent Strategy Consultation, £225. A 90 minute consultation for more complex situations requiring a deeper exploration of family, emotional, behavioural, educational or relational factors.